Deezer extends lyrics to Free desktop users

The feature, which was previously only available to paying subscribers on desktop, now lets free users get real-time lyrics of songs during playback.

The move follows a 33% increase in the usage of the lyric service worldwide, the streaming service said.

"It’s been great to see a growing interest in our lyrics button,” Deezer’s vice-president of product, Benoit Terpereau, said. "I’m really pleased that our free users can now enjoy using lyrics on multiple devices. Go ahead and share your screen on your next Zoom call for some extra karaoke fun."

To use the feature, simply tap the microphone symbol under the name of the track during playback. The lyrics will then appear on the screen.

Deezer partnered with LyricFind to introduce the lyrics feature in 2014. LyricFind displays options that let users choose between the sing-a-long mode, which shows each line in synch with the music, or the score mode, which displays all the lyrics on a screen so users can read the words at their own pace.

Earlier this year, Deezer took the service to Chromecast, giving users the ability view lyrics on cast-enabled TVs. The company also allows users to share lyrics on Instagram, where they can also play full tracks.

Deezer joins music streaming service Spotify, which has been providing real-time song lyrics to desktop users for a few of years.

Meanwhile, Deezer reintroduced its three-month free trials last week. The music streaming service also lowered the price on its top-tier HiFi plan to R89.99 in South Africa, while the monthly charge for its Family and Premium packages are R89.99 and R59.99, respectively.